TEAMWORK: The writer (right) with officials from the Land and Survey Department Limbang and Kuching during the working trip to Lumut Sakai.

With increasing demand and approval for perimeter surveys, the Limbang Land and Survey Department has to work double-time to beat the 2015 deadline

WHILE the New NCR Initative has the approval of the Prime Minister as well as an allocated budget under the Tenth Malaysia Plan (2011-2015), carrying out this initiative is harder than first projected.

Recently, thesundaypost Miri had the opportunity to join the Land and Survey staff to Lumut Sakai, one of the areas surveyed under the initiative in Lawas.

Among the challenges Limbang Land and Survey Department faced were rough terrain, unpredictable weather along with the need to balance New NCR Initiative survey work with other projects like NKRA.

Former Limbang superintendent Awang Zamhari Awang Mahmood said that their biggest challenge was shortage of manpower.

"With an increasing demand of perimeter surveys, our biggest hurdle is how to arrange the manpower so that we can achieve the target date of completion by 2015."

Survey progress in Limbang

Three areas were surveyed last year, covering 1,372.3 ha which included two areas in Lawas – Sungai Banganga and Sahabat Baru, as well as Telahak/Binjai/Ulak/Meritam in Limbang.

This year, survey work will begin in 16 areas spanning a total 5,321.96 ha.

"First, we need to determine the area that needs to be surveyed which takes about one month for us to do so to ensure every information required for approval is complete.

"After that it is beyond our control. If HQ processes the requests quickly, then we proceed with the survey work. Typically HQ takes about two to three months because it has to cater for cases throughout the state and the applications keep on coming while the manpower and resources are still the same," he said.

Ongoing disputes delay surveys

Other problems that arise even after the survey has been approved by HQ is when claimants continue to dispute about the boundaries, adding that of the 19 areas approved, three areas faced such problems.

He said if the disputes could be resolved, survey work could be completed for Batu Dua within 20 days, Melusok, 69 days and Tadu/Sungai Cina/Pundut in 29 days.

"For Batu Dua, perimeter surveys were carried out at the beginning of the year and in Melusok we have almost completed 70 per cent of the perimeter survey but had to stop due to the disputes," he said.

Awang Zamhari said in addition to implementing the New NCR Initiative, his staff have to ensure the success of other projects such as the National Key Results Areas (NKRAs) projects and those under the tenth Malaysia Plan.

He said that the Limbang Division has one of the most projects under NKRA which also has seven kampung traditional lots to be surveyed this year.

"We also have to complete them within this year, and there are more than 400 lots. Pangi alone has more than 100 lots." So far they have completed Kampung Pangi and Ulak. The rest are still ongoing and will be carried out this year.

Awang Zamhari requested the villagers' full cooperation so that they could carry out the perimeter surveys smoothly and keep the surveys on schedule.

"We greatly need to have clear-cut boundaries even before they apply for their land to be surveyed: it will be lot easier for the surveyors to carry out their work."

He assured the landowners that after the completion of survey work, the land will be gazetted as Native Communal Reserve under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code.

The gazette will be kept at the Land and Survey Department as well as the District Office. A copy will also be extended to the community head.

"The gazette itself is legal proof that their lands have been surveyed and rightfully belongs to the community here." he stated.

Challenges during surveying

Meanwhile, head surveyor of the team designated to Lumut Sakai area in Lawas, Chia Kim Tu, 49, said that although survey work was nothing new to him, the implementation of the New NCR Initiative posed a great challenge.

Apart from having to complete the work on schedule, they faced a host of other challenges like difficult terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.

"We need to traverse difficult terrain which can range from hilly, to mountainous and swampy areas," he said, adding that they would have to walk an average three hours a day to reach the sites. "Of course, the other challenges in the jungles are wild animals."

At times they have had to stay in the jungle for an average five days before going out to find rations. "Then we would have to stay another five days before replenishing our rations again. We get no comfort or luxury," he explained.

Chia and his surveying team are currently doing survey work at Lumut Sakai which include six predominantly Malay and Kedayan villages : Kampung Pangi, Kampung Punang, Kampung Punang Jaya, Kampung Sualai, Kampung Bukit Naga and Kampung Siang-Siang Laut.

The perimeter survey of 36.2 kilometres for the 760 ha of NCR land in six villages began July 5 and is expected to be completed within 91 days.

Meanwhile, several community leaders from Lumut Sakai interviewed recently were full of praise for the commitment of the government and Land and Survey Department in carrying out the perimeter survey.

Far-reaching impact

Kampung Punang penghulu Reduan Tahir said the perimeter survey would have a far reaching impact for the landowners. " More capitalists would like to have joint-ventures in developing our idle lands for commercial agriculture which could further improve our quality of life."

Village heads Bahar Nasir, 60, of Kampung Siang-Siang Laut and Pini Idris of Kampung Bukit Naga assured their support to the surveyors in carrying out their work.

"It is a very commendable effort as the land titles guarantee us and our future generations a future and we can develop our lands without fear of them being taken or claimed by others parties," said Bahar.

Pini hoped that more areas could be surveyed so that more landowners could benefit.

Lumut Sakai is about a 15-minute boat ride from Kampung Punang, one of the major producers of 'Ikan Tahai' (smoked fish) in Lawas.

SARIKEI: When a stranger approaches you to ask where the museum is, but another comes along and provides the answer, you could be on the brink of being tricked.

Several people here had been approached by a stranger asking "Mana muzium?" (Where's the museum?) then another comes along who answered "Muzium di Kuching, tidak ada di sini" (Museum in Kuching, not here).

A 51-year-old farmer from Kampung Paloh , Seruja Jin claimed he was deceived into parting with RM1,200 to tricksters using this script recently.

According to Seruja, when he left a hotel at Abdul Razak Road here on the morning of Aug 10, a stranger from a coffeeshop across the street asked him "Mana muzium?" in Indonesian accent.

Before he could answer this first question, the stranger asked him for his religion, and he replied that he was a Muslim.

At this juncture, the stranger showed him an object which he claimed had been embedded in the trunk of a tree he felled recently.

Seruja was looking at the object which looked like a curled up dog when a second stranger came near and seemed interested in their conversation.

The second stranger, as if he had heard their conversation, answered the first stranger's question by informing him that the museum is in Kuching, not here: "Muzium tak ada di sini, di Kuching."

The first stranger whom Seruja described as medium built, in his forties, then claimed that in his dream, an old man told him the object had super curing power for all sicknesses, and could bring fortune to the owner.

Someone had offered him RM3,000 for the mysterious object, but unfortunately he was not the right person to own it, being a non-Muslim, he said. The second stranger offered RM1,000 for the object, but withdrew it after realising he was a Christian.

The first stranger then pointed out that Seruja, being a Muslim, was the right person to own it.

Seruja was impressed after seeing that the object prevented the owner from being sliced with a sharp razor blade.

The stranger asked Seruja how much he had with him and in his savings account, to which he replied that he had RM1,200.

The stranger agreed to part with the object for that amount, and agreed to wait for Seruja to withdraw the money.

Seruja went to the bank around 10am and handed over the cash to the stranger.

He realised that he had been tricked after he heard of a similar experience by his friends.

Furthermore nothing unusual had happened to him since he owned the object.

Seruja said he came to the press to tell his story to alert the public to the scam.

KUCHING: Kuching staved off a spirited challenge from Bintulu to win 72-55 in the semi-finals of the Youth Boys competition of the Liew Kuet Kiong Cup 43rd Sarawak Open and 19th Youth (Under 16) Basketball Championship at MBKS Indoor Stadium at pending here yesterday.

TAKING FLIGHT: Sibu's national cager Su Leh King on his way to score as Samarahan's Okawa Bong (left) and Thian Jing Jie could only watch during the Youth Boys semi-final yesterday. Sibu won 73-51. — Photo by Davidson Kho

They will now battle Sibu in today's final after the latter thumped Samarahan 73-51 in the other semi-final.

It was a touch-and-go affair in the game between Kuching and Bintulu and the host team could only enjoy a two-point lead at end of the first quarter at 16-14.

Bintulu then tightened up their defence to hold Kuching 29-29 at half-time.

Kuching, led by national youth cager Byran Sim Yik Way, stepped up the pace in the third quarter to lead by 10 points (52-42) and with better passing and shooting skills, they destroyed Bintulu for a 17-point victory.

It was a different scenario in the other semi-final where a more organised and solid Sibu team had little problem to lead Samarahan 23-14 in the first quarter, 40-24 in the second quarter and 58-40 in third quarter.

Earlier, in the play-off for fourth and fifth placings, Miri beat Sarikei 89-80.

Today's other finals will see Kuching A taking on Kuching B in the Women's Open final, while Kuching is expected to meet Sibu in the Men's Open final.

The host team has six points from three wins in the five-team contest based on league format and they should have no problem in overcoming Samarahan in their final league match later yesterday while Sibu is also expected to beat Miri in the other league match.

PROTEST MADE: Mohd Karie (standing sixth left) holds the police report as the ex-servicemen and ex-policemen stage a brief protest in front of the Sarikei police station. Abang Mohd is seen standing fourth from right.

SARIKEI: Infuriated by the controversial statement made by PAS leader Mohammad Sabu on the communist terrorists attack on Bukit Kepong police station, a group of ex-servicemen and ex-policemen lodged a report at the police station here yesterday afternoon.

Chairman of Malaysian Ex-Army Association, Sarikei Branch, Mohd. Karie Ali who led the group said that they were prompted to lodge the report against the outspoken PAS leader, popularly known as Mat Sabu as his statement was a blatant twist of historical facts that belittled the sacrifices of the security forces who defended and fought for the country's independence.

"We are extremely hurt by Sabu's statement and hope the authorities concern would take appropriate action against him," Karie stressed when met by reporters.

In his statement published in the national papers on Aug 27, Sabu hailed the communist terrorists who mounted the bloody attack on Bukit Kepong police Station as the real independence heroes.

After they lodged the report, the ex-servicemen and ex-policemen staged a brief protest in front of the police station.

Posters held up during the protest among others labelled Mat Sabu as `communist's hero' condemning the PAS as party which was seen as having strayed from its original objectives to please its partners in Pakatan Rakyat, especially DAP.

Sarikei District Officer, Abang Mohd Porkan Abang Budiman who was among the group, said that his presence was to give the ex-servicemen his moral support and advice.

KUCHING: Lubok Antu Member of Parliament William Nyallau Badak hopes to defend his seat in the next parliamentary election.

He is the latest among Barisan Nasional's (BN) incumbents who have indicated their desire to be re-nominated.

The others are Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit (Mambong) and Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Santubong) — both from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Richard Riot (Serian) — Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan (Baram) — Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP). "Just give me one more term and it will be the final round," said Nyallau during an interview yesterday.

The Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) vice-president and one-term MP said he still has a mission to accomplish, particularly for development projects in his constituency.

These include the Customs Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) station and police station in Lubok Antu.

Nyallau said the CIQ costing RM12 million was re-tendered after the previous contractor only completed land clearing work.

On the police station, he said, the project at a cost of over RM100 million also faced a similar fate, despite being about 90 per cent completed.

He was happy to note that both projects are now progressing well under new contractors. "Just give me another round (term) and I will be happy to call it a day and see the completion of the projects," he reiterated.

He obtained 6,769 votes against Bawin's 5,159 votes.KUCHING: Lubok Antu Member of Parliament William Nyallau Badak hopes to defend his seat in the next parliamentary election.

He is the latest among Barisan Nasional's (BN) incumbents who have indicated their desire to be re-nominated.

The others are Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit (Mambong) and Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (Santubong) — both from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Datuk Richard Riot (Serian) — Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan (Baram) — Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP). "Just give me one more term and it will be the final round," said Nyallau during an interview yesterday.

The Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) vice-president and one-term MP said he still has a mission to accomplish, particularly for development projects in his constituency.

These include the Customs Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) station and police station in Lubok Antu.

Nyallau said the CIQ costing RM12 million was re-tendered after the previous contractor only completed land clearing work.

On the police station, he said, the project at a cost of over RM100 million also faced a similar fate, despite being about 90 per cent completed.

He was happy to note that both projects are now progressing well under new contractors.

"Just give me another round (term) and I will be happy to call it a day and see the completion of the projects," he reiterated.